Mosquitoes

There are over 2,700 different species of mosquito in the world. Of those, 176 are known to exist in the U.S.

Only the female mosquito bites; she needs the blood for producing eggs. Male mosquitoes feed solely on plant nectar.

A mosquito can beat its wings 300-600 times per second, which is what produces the buzzing sound you hear while they are flying.

What do mosquitoes look like?

Mosquitoes have a narrow body, very long thin legs, and one pair of transparent wings. They are gray in color; and their bodies are covered in scales that are silver, green, or iridescent blue. Adults grow to between ¼ and 3/8th of an inch in length. Their most distinctive feature is their long proboscis (nose) that both females and males use for feeding on the nectar of plants and that the females use to suck blood from their hosts.

Mosquito larvae have a large head and thorax; their body is worm-like in appearance. Mosquito larvae live and develop in areas of standing water, and they move throughout the water in a unique wiggly manner.

What attracts mosquitoes?

One of the main things that attract mosquitoes to properties is standing water; this is because female mosquitoes lay their eggs on the surface of standing water. Wading pools, bird baths, pet bowls, trash piles, tires, wheel barrows, clogged drains, and low lying areas can all collect water and draw in mosquitoes to a property. Mosquitoes also feed on the nectar of flowers so a property with a lot of plants, flowers, and other landscaping may also attract mosquitoes.

People and what they are wearing can attract mosquitoes. They are drawn to dark colored clothing and floral scented perfume or cologne. Mosquitoes are attracted to people who are sweating and/or have increased body heat. Carbon dioxide attracts mosquitoes, and people with higher metabolic rates and pregnant women produce more carbon dioxide than others. An interesting fact is that mosquitoes are more attracted to people who have consumed alcohol recently.

Why do mosquitoes bite?

Female mosquitoes bite in order to extract blood from their victims. They require a blood meal in order to get the necessary proteins that they need to create their eggs. Female mosquitoes will feed on any vertebrate animal, but usually prefer to feed on warm-blooded species.

Are mosquito bites dangerous?

Mosquito bites can be dangerous. After being bitten, the area around the bite will swell and become itchy. The amount of swelling that occurs depends on the victim’s reaction to the saliva from the mosquito that is injected into the skin as they feed. The bites themselves aren’t particularly dangerous but can lead to secondary infections from scratching that may require medical attention.

Do Mosquitoes In RI, MA And CT Spread Zika?

Currently any cases of Zika virus that are being confirmed in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts have been travel related. This means that the person was bitten by an infected mosquito while traveling abroad and then came back to the states already infected with the Zika virus. As of this writing, no person has been infected with the Zika virus while living in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

While no cases of locally acquired Zika virus have been reported to date, it is important to take precautions during mosquito season to help protect yourself and family. As the temperature warms up through the spring and summer mosquito populations will increase and they will travel further distances. This increase in number and activity means that there is a greater chance of Zika infected mosquitoes traveling to our region.

How do I get rid of mosquitoes?

Unfortunately there is no way to completely get rid of mosquitoes from your property; however, there are very effective methods available to greatly reduce their numbers. At Big Blue Bug Solutions we can help to reduce mosquito numbers on your RI, MA, ME, and CT property through our mosquito and tick solutions which help to control mosquitoes by reducing breeding sites, providing larval control, and adult mosquito control. For more information about reducing mosquito numbers on your property call the mosquito control experts at Big Blue Bug Solutions today.

Mosquito prevention tips from Big Blue Bug Solutions

While controlling mosquitoes may seem like an impossible task, there are several steps you can take around your property to help control their numbers in addition to acquiring professional control solutions.

Mosquito prevention tips include:

Reduce areas of standing water on your property. Clean out gutters, fill in low lying areas, make sure that garbage is removed on a weekly basis, shake out water that collects on tarps, and turn items like wheel barrows and kiddy pools upside down when not in use.

Reduce the amount of flowering plants and other landscaping that are located on your property, especially close to the exterior of your home.

Keep your lawn trimmed short; mosquitoes like to hide during the day in tall grass.

Keep any drains or culverts that are located on your property free from debris.

Make sure that screens in doors or windows are completely intact to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside. Don’t leave windows or doors open that do not have screens in them.

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